Western Carolina raises $51.8 million

CULLOWHEE, N.C. – Western Carolina University topped its goal of $40 million to raise $51.8 million during a two-year campaign to raise money for academic programs.

Almost 10,000 donors from 48 states contributed to the effort, with more than half the funds coming from university alumni.

The campaign, the first comprehensive fundraiser in the school’s history, will fund faculty and student endowments and allow for the expansion of existing
programs.

Cash gifts accounted for roughly 40 percent of the total, pledges and planned each accounted for 25 percent, and grants accounted for about 10 percent.

“This campaign was about extraordinary opportunity for our faculty, for our staff and for our students,” John Bardo, chancellor of the university, says in a statement. “It was about making it possible to bring the very best minds in the world to Cullowhee.”